Motoring in Manawatu

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 291, 9 December 1936, Page 9

Motoring in Manawatu

\ MEETING OF EXECUTIVE OF AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

Tlieononthly meeting of tho exocutive jManawatu Automobile Association: was held on Tuesday evening. Those 'present were Messrs. N. H. MaCkio (chairman), T. M. N. Kodgers, M. A; Eliott; E. E. B. Holben, E. S. pliver, D. Colljs and S. V. Eosvall. Apologies for absence -were received from Messrs E. T. Jaggard, H. E. Edinunds, C. N. Eabone and H. M. Eowo. -The chairman reported that he had been in', communication with the president of the Wanganui Automobile Association as to tho stato of the roads in the Eangitikei county and.they had arranged for an inspection of tho roads referred to. The inspection had. substantiated all his remarks except those that some of tho roads had been neglected. Some of the roads had had no metal put on them for years. The work of improving the highway between Mangaweka and Utiku was proceeding more slowly than had been expected. Numbers of the workmen had been leaving to undertake seasonal work such as shearing, and it appeared also that the undertaking was proving greater than had been estimated. From present indications it seemed that the Christmas traffic would meet with a rough section ot' road there. ,; City Traffic Buies The Palmerston North City Council wroto outlining the arrangements made for the control of Christmas and New Year's Eve traffic. It was stated that they would be the same as for last year. Aditional footway would be provided by marking off nine feet of the roadway from the korb at the four sides of the Square, in Coleman Place and in Broadway on the north-western side of the Squaro to Princess street. Parallel parking would be permitted for an unlimited period in front of the shops up to that line. Cars were to be kept clear of iire-plugs arid head-in parking would be permitted on tho garden enclosure sides of the Square. The letter asked for co-operation in the observance of the arrangements. —The letter was received, ■'the chairman remarking that the council was deserving of support, and he thought that members of the association would givo all the assistance they could. Eeplying to. a letter from the association, the City Council advised that loads on cycles could not exceed 1001 b in weight or three feet in width, and were not to hinder the rider's complete view of the road and the traffic either ahead or abreast.—The chairman remarked that the by-law seemed to be adequate, arid lit was now a matter of enforcing it.-;'lf members found any case of contravention it would be to the good of motorists (and also of delivery boys on the cycles) if they reported the incidents. Association’s Service

The.report of the seervice officer (Mr V. P. James) was as follows: —‘‘The survey of signs is proceeding. Each signpost is being numbered and records corrected where necessary. A new mapof this territory has been made photographically and all signs are being located on it. This will very materially assist in the future. At the last meeting of the committee the writer was asked to review the territory in connection with the new 30 miles per hour restriction in built-up areas, with a view to making suggestions for exemption if necessary.' ’;The writer is of the opinion that' riO'exemptions are required. The writer visited the camp ground in the company of Mr S. I. McKenzie (secretary) and is pleased to state that many of the suggested improvements have been carried out. The number of inquiries the writer is receiving for road information, maps, etc., should be an indication of a great number travelling within the next week or so. There seems to bo'a tendency for many to go to the South Island this Christmas.' ’ Seventeen new members were elected. Improvement of Eridge. Further mention was made of the Mangaone bridge, on Rangitikei line main highway, near the city, the service officer (Mr V. P. James) reporting as follows: —“I recently parked my car in a position north of the Mangaone bridge and took notice of the manner in which the north-bound cars took the bridge, and about 75 per cent, came over the bridge well on their wrong side. As visibility is bad from both approaches owing to "the high concrete parapets, I would-suggest that tho parapets be reduced in height. This would enable a better view to be obtained." . . '•Mr T: M.'.hi. Rodgers suggested that representations'be made for one side of the bridge to be lowered, and the chairman said that when such action had been suggested previously it had been pointed out that the scructure could not be interfered with on account ,of its ,inode of construction. .- Mr D. Collis (who is chairman of the .•Kairanga County Council) said he thought the bridge was dangerous and The meeting decided to write to the .-Main Highways Hoard, as the road is fo.;be one of the State highways, suggesting that if the road is to be improved attention might well bo given to the : replacement of. the bridge. . Traffic Control Duty. v-,;Suggestions.for the possible improvement of-traffic control at the busier points in the city were advanced by the president of the Manawatu Automobile Association (Mr. N. H. Mackie), when was decided to bring them under the -notice'of the traffic manager (Mr. H. J. Smith). Mr. Mackie said the system he had in mind was in use at Auckland, and entailed the painting of white lines in the middle of each side of the /.itfad (making-four lanes in all with 'the ; 'centro: line) beforo intersections. Traffic- iurning-to the loft : kept to the left-hand lan'e)' and that crossing the intersection to. the lane next the middle ; pf, the-road, j The work of the men on point duty was made easier, the traffic ==-- : ==

moved more quickly. Traffic turning to the left need not be directed at all by the pointsmen. The success of the scheme in Auckland indicated that it might bo well w-orlh investigation for application to Palmerston North. Even with cars parked on the roadside it could be used, because the cars could not be parked within 50 feet of a corner and tho traffic moved into the lanes only at the intersection. It meant that the traffic sorted itself out before the intersection, instead of ou it.